Smyrna Town Council discussed several topics at their Feb. 4 meeting including the possibility of putting in LED lights on Carter Road from Sunnyside Road to Route 13, and the approval of a zoning amendment to residential districts.

Here are a few other items discussed at the meeting.

Carter Road closure concerns

Town Manager Dave Hugg touched on several topics during his manager's report, including the temporary closure of Carter Road at Wheatley's Pond Road.

Hugg said a meeting was held between DelDOT and several town officials regarding the closure, which Hugg said DelDOT did a relatively poor job of informing the public about.

"They blocked the road in such a way that traffic was being diverted through the doctor's offices off of Deak Drive, behind the ER center and out to Route 300," Hugg said.

Hugg also said the blocked road is making it difficult for individuals needing to get to Bayhealth's Emergency Department as well as patients going to the doctor's offices off of Deak Drive.

"I think we have an interim solution of moving forward that will involve some improved signage," Hugg said. "We are attempting to work to work with DelDOT and with the facilities out there."

Police promotion update

Police Chief Wil Bordley told council that the department is in the process of giving departmental evaluations. Once this process is complete, he will start the process of promoting officers to the corporal position.

Council approved a motion in January for the department to add two more corporal ranks in 2013.

Utility projects update

Hugg said a number of utility projects in town are wrapping up, including the Green Meadows pump station. A pre-bid meeting for the Duck Creek utility crossing has been scheduled. A pre-bid meeting has also been scheduled for the Greensbranch pump station. Hugg said the town is also estimating the costs of the Glenwood street paving project, which will be the priority of this year's Municipal Street Aid project.

Resident suggests Verizon Fios

Smyrna resident Tom Sloan addressed council during public forum regarding his displeasure with Comcast and asked for the town to contact Verizon Fios. Sloan said he believes it's time that residents have an alternate to Comcast.

Councilman Bob Johnson said the idea has been discussed in previous Utility Committee meetings.

Page 2 of 3 - Town lawyer Barrett Edwards said the town is in the middle of renewal process with Comcast, but he didn't see the issue with the town having both Comcast and Verizon Fios as the contract was nonexclusive; however, some council members thought the deal was exclusive.

Sloan was asked to attend a Utility Committee meeting to continue discussing the idea.

Council approves Comp Plan update

Smyrna Town Council approved the Comprehension Plan Update by a vote of 6-0; Mayor Pat Stombaugh abstained. Stombaugh originally asked to postpone the vote as she didn't receive the information in enough time to properly review it.

It was noted that the only changes to the plan are the updated data from the 2010 Census, council's adoption of the Source Water Protection Ordinance, subdivision totals through 2012, updated land annexed in through 2012, and maps showing land rezoned.

The approval is pending certification from Gov. Jack Markell.

Sheridan's approval for road closure

Sheridan's Irish Pub was given approval to close a portion of North Market Street beginning the afternoon of Friday, March 8 through the morning of Monday, March 11 for the Annual St. Patrick's Weekend Celebrations and to close off four parking spaces parallel to Sheridan's Irish Pub on Friday, March 15 through Monday, March 18.

Sub-committee formed

Council approved the forming of a sub-committee to review the applications for the assistant to the town manager position. This is a new position recommended and approved by several town committees and council in the 2013 budget.

Hugg said he's received 57 applications and has been able to go over about half of them, a third of which warrants additional review.

Councilman Jeff Flairty said the intention of creating a sub-committee was to have three council members available to help guide the process of hiring an Assistant to the Town Manager.

Mayor Pat Stombaugh, Councilman Bob Johnson, and Flairty were approved to be the three members on the committee.

Little League sponsorship

Councilman Anthony DeFeo brought up a possible Smyrna/Clayton Little League team sponsorship under "Other Council Business." DeFeo said a letter regarding the sponsorship was in each council member's packed of information for the meeting, but the item wasn't on the agenda.

Hugg said in year's past the town has sponsored a team but didn't last year. The cost of a sponsorship is $250. DeFeo then made a motion for council to approve the sponsorship of a little league team.

"We can afford a $250 sponsorship," DeFeo said.

However, than Stombaugh said the money isn't specified in the budget, and that non-profits are supposed to submit a letter to the Finance Committee first. Town Lawyer Barrett Edwards then pointed out that the item can't be voted on because it's not on the agenda; therefore, the item was dropped for the next council meeting.